If You Have An X-Acto Knife And About 100 Hours, You Could Make Some Stunning Paper Art, Too!

The work of a great artist is never rushed. It takes time and patience to transform a moment of inspiration into a stunning showpiece. We live in an era where even art can be created digitally which has greatly changed the definition of craftsmanship. Fortunately, artisanal works are making a comeback. In 2017, design trends will welcome a return to glass blowing, woodworking, metal works, white goods and pottery, and paper art.

Since 2010, British artist Pippa Dyrlaga of Yorkshire, North England, has been mastering the art of paper cutting. Starting with a single sheet of paper, a pencil, and an X-Acto knife, she turns an idea into an intricate wall hanging, a framed piece of art, a sculpture, or even a greeting card.

Dyrlaga talked with the Huffington Post about how she got started in this particular medium while pursuing her master's degree at Leeds Metropolitan University:

“I was drawing silhouettes and then started cutting them out. It was the first time a medium felt right, and I loved the simplicity of making something from nothing but a single sheet of plain paper," she said. "After seeing what some other contemporary paper cut artists were achieving, it really motivated me to continue and its the only medium I have really worked in since." 

In the tradition of a true artisan, these projects can take Dyrlaga anywhere from four hours up to 100 hours. The end results are worth the wait. “It all depends on the detail, and research I have to do beforehand. The last piece I made took about 60 hours in total,” she said in an email to the Huffington Post. 

The process isn't as simple as a sketch and a few cuts. The design has to be structurally intact. Dyrlaga explained, “I first draw the image out in pencil in reverse, which can take a while to get right. As they are cut from a single piece of paper, I need to make sure it doesn’t fall apart and it makes sense.”

Are you inspired yet? To check out more of Pippa Dyrlaga's work, visit her Facebook page, her website, and @BearFollowsCat on Instagram.